Today is Australia Day
Today is Australia Day
Today, January 26, is celebrated all over the country as Australia Day.
It's similar to Thanksgiving in the US, except that being in midsummer, it's more of the three B's with us.
That's Beer, Barbecues and Beach,
It's also when Aussies of the year are nominated and awarded in various categories.
And migrants who have applied are awarded citizenship.
However, the date has become a contentious issue.
The 26th of January, 1788 marks the date when the First Fleet arrived from Britain and the Union Jack was raised on the shores of Sydney Cove, marking the start of the colonization of Australia.
As a result, many of our indigenous regard it as Invasion Day and hold protest rallies all over the country on that day.
The solution is totally obvious, but getting any government to take definite action is a long, slow process.
We need an Australia Day.
A day we all rejoice in living in this wonderful country (one of the few left that enjoys a peaceful, non-controversial transfer of power when an election changes the government) no matter whether we were born here, emigrated last week, descended from European colonists or migrants or our ancestors are members of the planet's oldest living culture.
As our unofficial anthem I am Australian goes:
We are one
But we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We'll share a dream
And sing with one voice
I am, you are, we are Australian
All we have to do is move the date
Which will happen, I'm sure.
Eventually.
Listen to The Seekers:
Recent Comments
71
Hi Phil
Great post, and I particularly like the 3 B's. Lol 👍
Wow, a really impressive video! What is that instrument playing the drone note in the background? It's like the Australian variation of an alp horn.
And the steampunk images just keep on coming, but I love them! 😎
Happy Australia Day! Enjoy it to the max! 🥳
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Thanks, Frank. The Seekers were a great group. Probably a didgeridoo, it's an indigenous instrument.
And an amazing fabrication process, letting termites hollow out most of the wood!
https://youtu.be/XittepXxus8?si=xOb_o62oqZh18MyH
Thanks, Phil for a very interesting post. I learned a little more about Australia.
You have a very attractive anthem, and I could sense the strong feelings of pride from each singer as they sang!
I missed my opportunity to visit your wonderful country, when I did n't take my R&R during my wartime assignment to Da Nang, Viet Nam.
My buddies that came back from their Australian R&Rs all told me how wonderful and friendly the Australian people were.
Steve
That's nice to hear and thanks, Steve.
Our anthem is Advance Australia Fair, but a lot of us feel that the song I linked to by The Seekers would represent us better.
Oh yeah. Sometimes I forget but it's nice that you had a good lunch with friends. :)
Myra 💜
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Thanks Phil, and as a fellow Aussie, I hold the day precious and witnessed a growing acceptance of all good things Australian until a small woke minority decided to change the sentiment.
But I guess I am biased as it is my birthday as well so it was and will always be a day of celebration.
Peter H
A nice attitude, Peter and happy birthday for the 26th.